Tulsa World Article: Philtower hosts Art in Architecture gala

By DANNA SUE WALKER World Staff Writer
8/26/2008
Last Modified: 8/26/2008 4:36 AM

http://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyle/article.aspx?articleID=20080826_209_D2_MaryMc624024
The Philtower, one of Tulsa's most prominent buildings, will join some of the area's most talented artists when the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation holds its 11th annual Art in Architecture event Sept. 25.

The CF benefit will be at the Philtower, a place where lots of Tulsa history has been made. In the 1940s and '50s many of the most influential leaders in the oil and gas industry were tenants in or visitors to the Philtower, and major decisions for those industries were made there regularly.

Built and opened in 1928 by oilman Waite Phillips, the building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places because it represents the late Gothic Revival style embellished with Art Deco details. Among its notable features are two gargoyles above the Boston Avenue entrance, a magnificent first-floor lobby with unique chandeliers, and generous use of imported mahogany throughout the building.

The evening will take place on the 12th-floor balcony, courtesy of Jim Hawkins and JoCo, Jobbing Confidential LLC. Marianne Johnson and Melanie Sherl.

Tim Inman of StoneHorse Café will prepare a gourmet meal, and guests will enjoy a tour of the 16th-floor apartment owned by Hawkins, as well as an auction of art from participating artists. Many of the pieces are one-of-a-kind or limited editions.

Jay Litchfield will conduct the live auction.

Auction items include artwork from Pat (P.S.) Gordon, Linda Allen, Mark Lackey, David Halpern, Dana Gilpin, Bill Rabon, Jonathan Sobol, Cesar Pelli, Matt Moffett, Sandy Yeo, Christopher Jean-Richard, Sharon Allred, Virginia Vann, Connie Seagul, Derk Penix, Ralph Cole, Jack Porter, as well as contributions from MA Doran Gallery, SR Hughes and Abersons.

Architectural pieces have been produced especially for the event by local architectural firms and will be a part of the auction. Firms providing one-of-a-kind pieces include McFarland Davies Architects, team Justin Sack, Sean Egan, James Parker, Judd Webb, Donovan Ross, Pam Deatherage; KSQ Architects, team Mark Fairless, Brook Jensen; Selser Schaefer Architects, team Nick Rhoades, Al Pagano, Heather Hood, and Scott & Gobel Architects, team Darshan Patel, Ryan Mullins and Ivan Dubikovsky.

Premier table sponsors are Cheryl and Richard Groenendyke; Mary McMahon and Lon Foster; Bill and Susan Thomas; and Bob and Jill Thomas. Other sponsors include Mike and Debbie Allred; Mandy and Mike Spanier; Melinda and Don McKinney; TWO Architecture-Rick Winn, and Rachel Zebrowski and Ben Costello.

Special thanks to Ralph Cole Photography, Blueview Design, Jay Litchfield, Jim Hawkins and JoCo, Jobbing Confidential LLC.

Mary McMahon and Kate Thomas are event chairwomen. Other committee members include Alexandra Beeson; Ralph Cole; Paula Hall-Collins; Karissa Cottom; Pam Deatherage; Karol Page; Susan Thomas; Julie Allen; Sharon Allred, Rick Winn and Rachel Zebrowski.

Jo Ann Winn, executive director of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, said the event over the past 10 years has raised more than $500,000 to help fund CF research. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is one of the most efficient voluntary health groups of its kind.

The CF organization brings more than 90 cents of every dollar raised for CF research. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting about 30,000 people in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that leads to chronic and life-threatening lung-infections and impairs digestion. When the CF Foundation was created in 1955, few children lived to attend elementary school. Today, because of research and care supported by the CF Foundation with money raised through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations, the median age of survival for people with CF is 37 years of age.

For information about CF or how to get involved with the foundation call Winn at 744-6354.

For more information about Art in Architecture event, call Mary McMahon at 712-1838 or Winn at 744-6354.
By DANNA SUE WALKER World Staff Writer